Artist and Entrepreneur Christian Markovic Has a Remarkable Story Told Through Greeting Cards
My 95-year-old mother is obsessed with sending greeting cards for every occasion. To anyone she knows. She let me know she needs a Happy July Fourth card for the plumber or a congratulations card for the retirement of her appliance repairman.
For her ninety-fifth birthday last week, she got a card from one of her friends. It caught my eye because of the story behind the card. The greeting card maker was deaf and partially blind.
Christian Markovic and his Greeting Cards
Deaf from the age of 2, Christian was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease at the age of 13. At 20, he was declared legally blind. Despite his seemingly insurmountable health issues, Christian persevered and thrived.
Christian, the first deaf graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, holds a B.A. in Fine Arts. Unable to find work after graduating from college due to his disabilities, Christian decided to start his own business, Fuzzy Wuzzy Design, a graphic design company specializing in handcrafted greeting cards and clothes. To learn more about CMT – its symptoms and origins – visit the CMTA website.
Despite his health issues, Christian maintains a sunny disposition. According to his father, he is always smiling and lives by the adage “Never Give Up!” Christian was always artistically inclined and received good grades at the Savannah College of Art and Design. His creative abilities are displayed in his artwork and the line of greeting cards and clothing incorporating it.
Christian works on his iMac computer to create his drawings using a zoom program that enlarges his career up to ten times.
His work has been shown at the Credit Suisse Gallery (New York City) and the Pierro Gallery (South Orange, New Jersey). The artist is credited for over 300 different paintings, designs, and sculptures. His customer list includes Harlem Day Charter School, Bright Horizons Day Care Centers, the United Way Foundation, the QVC Shopping Network, and the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network.
Christian points out that regardless of his diagnosis and loss of function, he is still a contributing member of society. He fights his CMT every day by staying active with physical therapy. He also continues to flex his creative muscles and recently took up sculpting.
THE REMARKABLE ARTIST NAMED HIS COMPANY FUZZY WUZZY DESIGN BECAUSE THAT’S HOW EVERYTHING LOOKED TO HIM AS HE GRADUALLY LOST HIS EYESIGHT — FUZZY.
A remarkable man who challenges his physical limitations by using his artistic and creative talent, Christian Markovic is driven by his eternal spirit to persevere.
“It’s essential for me to share my story, especially with others who have a similar diagnosis. I want everyone to see my accomplishments in business and use that as inspiration.
— Christian Markovic
Christian’s story about his greeting cards is one that I’ll enjoy telling when I give his cards out to friends and family. Often, the story is more important than what you sell.
The Marketing Lesson
What unique story can only you tell? How can you manifest a brand and a business that connects consumers with an emotional umbilical cord? Thinking of starting a business selling cards, cookies or computers? What is the red thread that runs through your personal story that could add heart and soul to your brand?
Like Christian, even if you are deaf and nearly blind – you must feel your truth and tell that story.
You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free, and we can explore if working together makes sense. Watch a short video about working with me.
